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How to Properly Bathe Your Dog |
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I realize that dog bathing is not rocket science but as a groomer I believe I can give you some great tips when it comes to bathing your dog. One question I am often ask is how often should one bath their pet. As a general rule every four to six weeks would be ideal. I would never recommend bathing more then once a week. Since your dogs skin and coat are so much different then our own bathing your dog too often can be detrimental to their skin causing it to become dry and itchy. You also want to make sure that you are using a quality dog shampoo that is ph balanced for your dogs skin and coat. The breed you own will have a lot to do with where you will be bathing. Smaller breeds such as Toy Poodles and Yorkies can usually be bathed in the kitchen sink without much hassle. However, if you own a Mastiff you are going to have to go for the full tub. If it is summer and the weather is hot then outside is okay but only if the weather is warm enough to permit outdoor bathing. We will be discussing tub bathing since that is the option most people will use. First off you will need a few things to make your job easier: 1. Quality Pet Shampoo Having all of these items will make bathing your dog much easier. A short stool to sit on will save your back and knees when bathing a large dog in the bath tub. A shower head extension of some sort (there are many to choose from) will be very handy for wetting and rinsing your dog. You also need to make sure that you have some type of a strainer over the tub drain to prevent clogs from the dog hair. I have one that I purchased at the local pet store for about 99 cents so they are cheap and should be easy to come by. You want to begin by diluting your shampoo with water into another bottle. 7 parts water to 1 part shampoo is usually adequate. There is a very good reason for doing this. Yes, it will help to conserve your shampoo but the main reason is that when it comes time to rinse your dog you will be able to get the soap out much easier reducing the risk of leaving soap on the skin which could cause itching. Diluting your shampoo is one of the best tips there is when it comes to bathing your pets. You want to make sure and get your dog thoroughly wet. Although you want to avoid getting any water in the ears. Sometimes it is best just to avoid the head area all together. Once your dog is soaking wet begin applying the diluted shampoo and massage it into the coat all the way to the skin. Really getting in and scrubbing the dirt away with your hands or a rubber massaging scrub brush. Pay special attention to the sanitary areas of your dog. Many times urine will soil the under belly of long hair dogs which causes odor. So make sure to get all around the belly and groan areas. Rinsing may very well be one of the most important parts of the bath. Make sure to take your time rising your dog. You do not want to leave any soap behind in the coat because it can cause irritation. So rinse well. To properly dry a dog use your towel to press the water out of the coat. I like to wrap the dog in the towel and then just give lots of hugs this will help to get most of the water out of the coat. You can then blow dry them if desired on a low setting making sure not to let it get too hot in any one area or you can just let them finish air drying. Bathing your dog is a great way to create a strong bond. Although if it is just too much to deal with you can always call up your local groomer. If you are looking for a great dog groomer in the Austin, Texas area check out Doggie Styles Grooming Salon. They can schedule your grooming appointment for anytime that is convenient for you 24/7 365 days a year. Doggie Styles Grooming Spa is dedicated to providing top quality grooming in Central Texas! They also offer a great assortment of toys, treats, pet fashions, and grooming supplies to meet all your best friends needs. Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Kasper |
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